40 Ways to Keep Yourself Busy When You're Unemployed

During December 2010,
America's unemployment rate hit just under 10 percent, according to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. You know what that means? It's now completely understandable
if you lost your job. You no longer have to hang your head in shame. Plenty of
people are in the same boat as you.

But, while you may be
putting a good effort into finding a new job, there will be large portions of
the day when you have nothing to do. While some wallowing is understandable, if
left unchecked, it can turn into depression. You certainly don't want that!
Rather than sitting around the house in your bathrobe, wallowing in the fact
that you're currently jobless, find things you can do to keep yourself busy.

40 Things to Do to Keep Busy When You're Unemployed

1. Get out of bed.

2. Go about your morning
routine as you did when you had a job. Shower, put on a fresh pair of clothes,
and do your makeup, if applicable.

3. Make a list of the things
you like about being unemployed. While there are downsides, lets' ignore them
for now.

4. Go for a walk and get
some fresh air.

5. Read a book. When you're
done with that, read another one.

6. Solve the newspaper's
daily crossword puzzle.

7. Spread out a jigsaw puzzle
on your kitchen table. Put it together throughout the week. Then start a new
one.

8. Watch an episode of your
favorite show.

9. Do something physical
between each episode, like a walk around the block. This will prevent
couch-potato-itis.

38. Volunteer your time to a local charity. Hand out food at a
soup kitchen or leaflets at a fundraiser.

39. Rearrange your bedroom.

40. Make your own list of things to do or add to this one.

Now Choose One

Tomorrow, when you're so
bored you can barely get out of bed, pick something from this list. Do it.
It'll keep you busy and give you something better to do. And, if you still feel
bored and restless afterward, pick something else from the list and do that.

Above all else, strive
to avoid falling into a pit of depression. Eventually, you'll get another job.
But in the meantime, keep your chin up.